Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the various crises, war, famine, genocide and human rights abuse throughout the African continent are being monitored, influenced or dealt with at both EU and UN levels; the extent to which particular focus has centred on the major flash points; the measures taken or expected by way of support or intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2890/11]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Conflict, food shortages, human rights abuses are unfortunately still widespread in Africa despite considerable progress in recent years. The international community continues to intervene to address these issues on the African continent, whether on a bilateral or multilateral basis. It is not possible to go into details on all parts of this question in the time available, but in any event, the Deputy's question has been answered many times already in response to his previous questions. With regard to the issue of hunger and famine, it is estimated that more than a billion people today do not have enough food. Ireland is responding to this challenge, working bilaterally in our Programme Countries with our EU partners and other donors, and at a global level through the UN agencies.

With regard to security, UN and EU peacekeeping missions in Africa have a role in stabilising former and current conflict zones. Since the 1960s, members of the Irish Defence Forces have participated in numerous UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, and continue to do so. Eight members of the Defence Forces are currently serving with the UN missions in Western Sahara, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Côte d'Ivoire. We have also participated in EU missions, such as EUFOR Chad where Ireland played a critical role protecting refugees and facilitating the delivery of aid. Currently five members of the Defence Forces are deployed in Uganda where the European Union Training Mission is providing training to Somali soldiers.

With regard to the thankfully rare cases of genocide, there are a number of current situations in Africa which give rise to continuing concern. The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide is mandated to alert the international community to the potential of genocide in a particular country or region, and to make recommendations on actions to prevent or halt genocide.

Active participation in multilateral organisations such as the EU and the UN, in particular the Human Rights Council, provides opportunities for Ireland to voice its concerns regarding human rights abuses. Through these organisations, international pressure can be brought to bear on those responsible for the violation of human rights.

In developing a sustainable approach which properly addresses the root causes of all these issues Ireland takes the view that African leadership and responsibility are crucial. This is recognised by the EU and UN, which are both working to build the capacities of African States and the African Union to respond to these challenges. Ireland is committed to playing its part in this work, and I believe that our comprehensive and inclusive approach to these challenges stands the best chance of facilitating real and positive change in the lives of millions of people in Africa.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent ethnic and religious violence in Jos, Nigeria, which has led to the death of at least 18 people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2861/11]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have been very concerned by the most recent violence in and around Jos in Plateau State, Nigeria, where there have been more deaths in January, after the bombings in December. This follows on from violence over the past several years, which has been a result of ongoing tensions, and which the government has been attempting to settle. Since the violence in 2008 inter-religious dialogue has been pursued by the religious leaders in an effort to address the problems.

The Christmas Eve bombings in Jos, which claimed 80 lives, were somewhat different to Jos's traditional problems. They are widely believed to have been the work of Boko Harem, an Islamic fundamentalist group which has in recent months been increasing its activity in the north of the country. A number of Muslim religious leaders have publicly condemned the bombings. Since the bombings the tensions have been particularly high in Jos, and there have been further sporadic episodes of violence between the two communities, including the violence to which the deputy refers, which left 18 dead.

The Irish Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, remained in regular contact with the Irish community in and around Jos throughout the violence. None of the Irish citizens contacted wished to leave and all remained safe. In the past the Embassy has provided some humanitarian funding to help victims of the violence, and is investigating, along with EU partners, other ways to be of assistance.

Although the violence in and around Jos has been predominantly between Christians and Muslims, I want to stress that the root causes are not sectarian, and indeed the violence has been frequently and repeatedly condemned by religious leaders, on both sides, who play an active role in trying to resolve the ongoing crisis. Rather the causes of the violence are deeply rooted and involve complicated ethnic and land issues. The State and Federal governments need to continue their efforts to address the root causes in order to prevent further recurrences.